Leo “Brud” F. Kelly

Staff
Posted 10/8/18

MENDOTA - Leo “Brud” Francis Kelly, 87, of Earlville passed away Oct. 7, 2018.

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Leo “Brud” F. Kelly

Posted

MENDOTA - Leo “Brud” Francis Kelly, 87, of Earlville passed away Oct. 7, 2018.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11 at Holy Cross Church in Mendota with Father Bob Spilman officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Mendota with full military rites conducted by Mendota V.F.W. Post 4079. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 10 at the Schwarz Funeral Home, Mendota.

Brud was born June 19, 1931 in Mendota to Tom and Lucy (Guilfoyle) Kelly. He married Anna Mae McManus on Aug. 11, 1956 and he will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 62 years.

Survivors include his wife of Earlville; five children, Mike (Lisa Finnell) Kelly, Karen (Dave) Harmon, Jim Kelly, Lori (Craig) Chapman and Julie (Rich Harding) Kelly; 15 grandchildren, Sarah Heerrman, Molly (Matt Myers) Kelly, Casey (Julie) Kelly, Edward (Crystal) Kelly, Tom (Jennifer) Harmon, Tim (Angie) Harmon, Jeff (Tami) Harmon, Veda Kelly, Ashley (Jeremy) Arellano, Brad (Brooke) Chapman, Sam (Christine) Bennington, Kayla Kelly, Matthew Kelly, Jenna (Pete) Pfau and Justina Whalen; 18 great-grandchildren, Braydon and Mary Heerrmann, Aubrey and Alivia Myers, Riley, Blake and Callie Kelly, Connor, Payden and Garrett Kelly, Logan and Landon Harmon, Addison Lee and Preslee Harmon, Liam and Declan Arellano, Braxton Chapman and Oliver Pfau; five siblings, Tom (Rita) Kelly of Palos Heights, Pat (Marge) Kelly of Utica, Bill (Mary Ann) Kelly of Anchorage, Alaska, Dick (Judy) Kelly of Mendota and Mary Lou Saylor of Mendota; and two sisters-in-law, Mary Lynn Kelly and Jean Kelly.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Daniel Thomas Kelly on Sept. 28, 1990 and Douglas Edward Kelly on June 30, 2006; and four siblings, Don Kelly, Joseph Kelly, Jack Kelly and Hank Kelly.

Brud was the second oldest of 10 siblings, nine boys and one girl. He graduated from Holy Cross Grade School and St. Bede Academy. He then went on to serve in the U.S. Navy for four years and was about to re-enlist but instead, married Anna Mae, a “pretty little Irish girl who wanted a big family.” He worked as a farmer his whole life growing sweet corn and beans for DelMonte and as a heavy equipment operating engineer for Local 150 for many years. He enjoyed riding and raising horses and raising calves and chickens. He was a gardener and enjoyed watching the Cubs. He was also actively involved in many organizations over the years including Illinois Valley Horseman’s Association (director and influential member), Earlville COOP (president for many years), Knights of Columbus (4th Degree Knight), American Legion, the Moose, Mendota Elks and Holy Name Society. He was also a 4-H leader and a lifetime member of the NRA. He will be forever remembered and greatly missed.